The HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) applauds the Illinois General Assembly and Governor J.B. Pritzker for the passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 Illinois State Budget, which continues the state’s commitment to investing in higher education, college affordability, and student success across the Illinois. Notably, it continues to provide substantial support to Illinois’ only four-year predominantly Black institution, Chicago State University.

The FY27 budget provides continued support for Illinois public colleges and universities, a one percent increase in operating funding for public universities and community colleges, and sustained investment in financial aid programs that help thousands of students access higher education opportunities. The budget also maintains funding for programs such as Monetary Award Program (MAP) and AIM HIGH scholarships, which have played a significant role in reducing financial barriers for students and increasing college enrollment throughout the state.

According to the budget provisions, the FY27 Illinois State Budget includes:

• A 1% increase in operating funding for Illinois public university, providing additional resources to support academic programs, student services, and institutional operations.
• A 1% increase in operating funding for Illinois community colleges, helping institutions expand workforce development and educational opportunities.
• More than $271 million for Monetary Award Program (MAP), one of the nation’s largest need-base financial aid programs, assisting thousands of Illinois students with tuition costs.
• $50 million for the AIM HIGH Grant Program, which supports merit-based financial aid and encourage students to attend Illinois colleges and universities.
• Continued support for student access and affordability initiatives, helping reduce financial barriers to higher education.
• Sustain investments in workforce development and talent retention efforts, ensuring students are prepared to meet the needs of Illinois’ growing economy.
• Ongoing state support for public higher education institutions, which serve as economic drivers and workforce pipelines throughout the state.

“Higher education remains one of the most powerful investment a state can make in its future workforce, economic competitiveness, and communities. We commend Governor Pritzker and Illinois lawmakers for recognizing the value of public higher education and for maintaining support for the institutions that educate, develop, and prepare the next generation of leaders.”

— Demetrius Johnson, Jr., Founder, President & CEO, HCF

HCF particularly recognizes the important of these investment for institutions like Chicago State University that serve significant numbers of first-generation, low-income, minority, and historically underserved students. Continued state support helps ensure that students have access to affordable educational pathways while strengthening the capacity of public institutions to fulfill their mission.

“Chicago State University continues to demonstrate the transformative impact that minority-serving institutions have on students, families, and communities,” Johnson added. “Investment in higher education are investments in institutions like Chicago State University that provide access, opportunity, and pathways to success for students who might otherwise be left behind.”

While applauding the budget’s passage, HCF also encourages Illinois policymakers to continue exploring long-term solutions that address equity in higher education funding. Efforts such as the proposed Adequate and Equitable Public University funding framework represent important conversations about enduring public institutions receive resources aligned with student needs and institutional missions.

HCF remains committed to advocating for policies, investments, and partnerships that expand educational opportunities and strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and public institutions of higher learning nationwide.

###

About the HBCU Campaign Fund
The HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) is an educational non-profit and advocacy organization dedicated to supporting HBCUs and MSIs. Founded in 2012, its core mission focuses on raising funds for student scholarships, developing campus programming, and advocating for higher education equity. For more information, visit www.hbcucampaignfund.org and follow HCF on social media.